Loneliness and Depression: Discovering Hope

Depression affects more than 15 million American adults – 6.7% of the population 18 or older. Twenty percent of teens experience depression before adulthood and 70% will have more than one episode of depression before adulthood. 8.3% of these teens suffer depression for at least a year.

Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression.

Untreated suicide is the leading cause of suicide, and suicide is the leading cause of death for young people ages 15 – 24.

These overwhelming statistics demonstrate that depression is a broad life crisis with many unique circumstances. Similarly, in this interview, Danielle’s story demonstrates that depression in young adults is often rooted in childhood. It’s easy to hide depression, and to slowly hide away rather than fight the dark feelings of sadness, loneliness and worthlessness. Danielle offers help and hope as she describes the steps she took to find her way back to a life of purpose.